My Star~
"Are you saying that we, women are not strong enough to handle such thing? Are you saying that we're weak compared to you guys?"
"Why? Aren't you girls really weaker than us whether physically, emotionally, or mentally? Accept what is true and stop corrupting Celeste's mind, Ms. Clardia."
Halos mag-usok ang mga tenga ko sa sinabi ni Sore eyes. Ms. Clardia? Sabihin niya nanatakot lang siyang tawagin akong flirty girl sa harap ni Xavier!
"What?! I will not accept it because it is not the truth, you, bastard Lieutenant! Tell me Greg, do you think you guys are much stronger than us?" tanong ko sa kan'ya dahil ang akala ko ay siya ang pinaka-nakakaintindi sa kanilang mga kalalakihan pero hindi pala.
"Hmm, Clards, well, aren't we really much stronger? I mean, we have bigger and much solid bodies, we don't easily have emotional breakdowns, and we can think straight even in dangerous situations cause we don't panic that fast. For me... Neud is kinda right..."
I glared at Greg after what he said. Hindi ako mapaniwalang ganoon din ang tingin niya! I think my impression for him was wrong.
"Heneral Goryo, ibig bang sabihin ang tingin mo sa'kin mahinang babae? Dahil lang hindi malaki ang pangangatwan ko? Dahil madali akong umiyak? Dahil madali akong mag-panic? Do you know that everything you said don't really define what is real strength?" Zain asked. She now looks dead serious with a straight face.
"I-It's not like that, M-Ms. Z..."
"I'm sorry, Zain my lil' brother is just not good at explaining things. What he really mean is like this: We, men, were made by the creator to protect women. The almighty made us strong physically, or even in some other aspects so that, there will be someone to guide and protect the weak ones. That's why you girls, shouldn't be mad at us whenever we try to hid you behind our backs." Lucas explained then, beamed at us.
"Sounds even worse, Kuya. You should have just remained silent." Greg facepalm.
Magkapatid talaga silang dalawa.
"Protect the weak ones? Or to pretend to protect the weak ones?" Biglang nagsalita si Samantha. "You brought me here to be sacrificed as your cousin's wife but, you reasoned out that you just did it for my own's sake and to fulfill my parents' deathwish. We are not the weak ones because you needed my help to save someone you can't save yourself."
Oww, that hit hard for sure. Ang lalim ng pinaghugutan, eh.
"Wait, wait, everyone, let's calm down... Let's all breath deeply and take away the petty thoughts in our mind..." Kiefer said, trying to mediate the rising tension between the two sides.
"Petty? You think this is just a petty thing, Kiefer?"
It was Xanthal. Okay, lagot na siya ngayon.
"W-What? N-No! What I'm saying is that—" bago pa siya makapagdahilan ay pinutol na siya ni Xanthal.
"Did you save me before cause you also have this mindset that because I'm a woman I can't save myself from there? Say it, do you also believe that men are superior? Answer honestly, Kiefer."
Nakita ko kung pa'no napalunok ang kaibigan kong lalaki. Hindi niya rin maipirmi ang mga mata niya, palatandaan na nalilito siya kung magsasabi ng totoo. Alam ko ang dulo nito. At the end he'll say...
"Y-Yes... I do also believe that we are kind of superior. But, about the day I save you it not like that... I, uhm—"
"Enough with the explainations. Stop cleaning yourself. You are no different from other men. All arrogant jerks." Xanthal spit then, roll her eyes.
"Damn it... What the heck is happening?" I heard Xavier mumbled as he massaged his temple.
"General, was it usually like this in your palace? All the women here are fighters. They're impressive." the Lieutenant named Charles then whispered to him though it's still perceivable by most.
"My palace were never been this chaotic before. Never am I disturbed from urgent meetings. These women are a pain in the head."
"What, Montevilla? What did you said?" I sharply gaze at him with a raised brow.
"W-Wife..." he stammered.
"Girls, let's go. We'll leave now." I said to my companions before turning my eyes again to those men at our front. "Remember this, we will prove to you, men, that you are no superior to us. You guys will experience how we, women, will be over you." then, I turned my back as I flip my hair. Tapos ay naglakad na 'ko palabas ng study. Ramdam ko naman na kasunod ko lang din sila Xanthal, Samantha, Zain, at Celeste.
"Celeste,"
Bago pa kami tuluyang makalabas ng study, biglang nagsalita si Sore eyes.
"Don't come with them..." he said to her.
When I looked back, I saw how Celeste halted and turned her gaze to the man who's calling her.
"I'm not weak... You guys are the one who's making us look weak because that's how your mindset works."
Hindi ko napigilang hindi mapangisi matapos marinig ang sinabi ni Celeste. That's really my girl.
After that, I flipped my hair once again before completely walking out of the room. My sight even saw how Xavier, Lucas, Greg, Lt. Neud, and Kiefer were left there while scratching their heads. Serves them right.
Now, I just proved that men are all the same. All the same jerks.
Dumiretso naman kaming mga babae sa loob ng aking kuwarto. Umupo muli ako sa aking kama at gano'n din si Zain. Samantalang si Xanthal at Samantha ay sa may coach, at si Celeste naman ay pinaupo ko sa may malapit sa vanity table.
"We should teach those guys a lesson! Ugh, so annoying!" Xanthal said, crossing her arms and legs.
"Don't worry, girls. I have a plan." I smirked before telling them what I thought of. I'm so excited for this. I'm sure those men will finally realize that we are not inferior to them.
"S-Sister, I am part of your p-plan?" Celeste asked looking kind tensed after I told them my plan.
"Of course, Celeste! We need you to be there." sagot ko sa kanya.
"B-But, sister—"
"Trust me, Celeste. Your efforts will all be worth it after we succeeded this plan."
"Clardia, do you think it will reallly work? I mean, will it make them realize that we are not weak as they think?" tanong naman ni Samantha na bahagyang nakakunot ang noo.
"Yes, Sam. Because by that moment, they will realize that we are not the weak ones but, them." I answered, showing an assuring smile.
"Iba ka talaga mag-isip, bes! You're a mischievous one! Anyway, G ako dito! For sure this will be fun!" Zain exclaimed as if she was so thrilled of what we're going to do.
"I'm up for this too. What a brilliant yet quite naughty plan you think of, Clardia. For me it's worth giving a try." Xanthal beamed at me then, she spoke again. "By the way, I'll put myself in charge for what we will wear that day. I know a place where we can get our costume."
"Okay, that's nice." I said. "And about the place where we will do the plan, let me take care of it. It will be an easy job for me."
"How about us, Clardia? What will we do?" Samantha asked, pertaining to herself, Celeste, and Zain.
"Prepare yourselves. Be tougher and stronger. We'll be needing our physical and emotional strength that day because we will be playing with arrogant men." I answered.
"We understand." she said and together with it, the other two girls nodded.
"Alright, let's do it! Let's do it for a change!"
"For a change!"
***
"Wife,"
Xavier recognized my presence as I went inside the study. He's sitting on his usual spot, in front of a wooden table with piles of papers on it. It's already late at night but, this man is still up and doing his job as a Prince.
I continued walking near 'til I was already a feet away from him. Then, I sat on the cushioned chair in front of his table and gave him a stare.
"I'll get straight to the point, Xavier." I said, retaining my straight face. "I will go to a beach with the girls the day after tomorrow."
Kaagad nagkasalubong ang mga kilay niya matapos ang sinabi ko.
"What? No, wife. You know how dangerous for you, women, to be out of the palace especially now a days." he answered.
"I'm not asking permission. I just informed you that no one will be a pain in your head that day."
"Wife, look, I—"
"I'm not asking for an explaination. It is already clear to me that you think we're not as strong as you guys and we can't do anything to even help you investigate the case. So, we'll just kill our time by going to the beach while you boys are having a hard time thinking of who's the killer." I said directly gazing at his eyes.
He pursed his lips, seems either irritated or annoyed. "Wife, I can't understand you..."
"Xavier, what I'm just pointing out here is that, let us help you. Let me, Xanthal, and Samantha to help you, and your cousins in hunting down the killer. I thought you want to make a difference in this planet? Then, start it with this. Stop belittling women yourselves and don't make us feel discriminated by always keeping us in the dark. You're not the only one who can protect, Xavier. I can protect you too and that's my obligation to do so because I'm your wife."
"Clardia..."
"Tapos malalaman ko na lang na ang tingin mo pala ay hindi kita kayang matulungan just because I'm a freaking woman who's weak and not as strong as men. Honestly, it hurts my ego so much and my pride as a woman. Tama 'yung sabi ni Celeste. We look weak because that's what in your minds. Mga lalaki... pareho-pareho talaga ang tumatakbo sa utak! Ugh, nakakainis!"
Tumayo na 'ko sa upuan pero hindi muna ako umalis sa harapan niya. Pumamewang ako saka siya mataray na tiningnan.
"We'll go to the beach and you can do nothing against it because we are women, and we won't let you stop us." and just like it I turned my back without letting him say anything.
A smirk slowly formed across my lips.
Mission accomplished.
***
KIEFER
"Are you serious, Xav? Those girls will really go to the beach at this point of time?! During the time of prevalent women killings?!"
Greg exclaimed as he faced his cousin who is Prince Xavier.
We are at the study room, all gathered here, to talk about a not so serious matter—supposedly.
"Sam have mentioned that to me as well." Lucas said, sitting on the same couch with his brother.
"Yes. And it seems like they won't change their minds. They will go to a beach no matter what tomorrow." Prince Xavier massaged his temples. He's on the middle sofa.
"If only someone didn't said that those women are really weaker than us, then the Generals shouldn't have facing such this problem anymore." the Lieutenant of Lucas namely Charles said.
"Are you referring to me, Charles?" then, the Lieutenant of Xavier faced him. His hair is covering one of his eyes but by merely seeing his right orbs, you will know how serious and fierce of a man he is.
"Oops. Didn't mean to offend you, though."
Tiningnan pa ito ng masama ni Lt. Neud bago bumuntong-hinga na lamang. "I'm certain, that flirty girl will ask Celeste to come with her. She will even put the kid in danger because of her petty reason."
"Flirty girl? Are you pertaining to my wife, Lieutenant?" tanong ni Xavier, kasabay ng pagkunot ng kan'yang noo.
"G-General, n-no, I don't mean it to be h-her..."
"Then who?"
"They are planning something..." I murmured which made everyone else in the room turned their eyes on me.
"What do you mean, Kiefer...?" tanong ni Lucas sa'kin.
"I know Clardey and Zain for a very long time—since high school. And whenever they are doing things weird or suspicious, then they must be up for a something. They might not be only going there to have fun and to chill. It serves a purpose for their plan." I gave them a serious look.
Knowing Clardia, alam kong may binabalak siya. And knowing Zain, alam kong susuportahan niya naman ang balak ng kanyang bestfriend. Well, they are, after all, partners in crime, always.
"And what do you think is their plan, dude?" Greg addressed me a question.
"I have no idea yet. Those girls are creative and hard to guess. But, expect that they will succeed to whatever they are planning because Clardia's their leader."
That woman is a good strategist. Strategist of mischievous plans.
"Okay, let's say that they are really up for something. Do you think there is a way to stop them?" Lucas asked.
"None. Because if we'll try to do so, it may just make the situation worse..."... dahil sigurado namang gagawa at gagawa ng paraan si Clardia para matupad ang plano nila.
In a count of three, we all heaved a sighed. This is why I don't wanna mess with girls. Most of the time, they do insane things you will never expect just to get what they want. So, I'm befriending them instead.
"Probably, this so called plan is relevant to what happend yesterday. Their plan's objective might be to prove that they aren't weak as what we are thinking." Prince Xavier uttered, while eyes on us.
"We? So... you're also admitting that you think men are tougher than women, Xav?" Greg asked to his cousin with a playful smile on his face.
"Well... uh... fine! Yes, that's what in my mind too."
Greg stifled a laugh and so I am. Pare-parehas pala talaga kami. Damay-damay na 'to kung ano mang pinaplano ng mga babae.
"So, what's your plan, Eros? I know you will not let Clardia be in danger right?" si Lucas naman ang nagtanong sa pinsan niya.
"I will order to temporarily close the beach resort nearest to the palace and I will designate some of my men around the place." sagot ni Prince Xavier.
"Why don't we accompany them? You know, we can ensure their safety even more if we are there." said by Greg.
"But, they won't let us." I object.
"Then, we won't let them know that we will accompany them. As basic as that, dude!" he grinned.
"Okay, I understand what you mean. And maybe, we can discover whatever they are planning that way." I said and everyone nodded including, Prince Xavier and his Lieutenant.
And just like that, our informal meeting ended. I decided to go to Clardia's room because I know, she and Zain are there. Hindi pa nila ako kinakausap mula kanina and I'm hoping this time, they will.
Kumatok ako sa pintuan niya at agad din naman itong nagbukas.
"Hi, Clardey! Is Zain there? May I come in?" I said, showing my usual bright smile.
Not in my surprise, she raised a brow.
"No." Then, she slammed the door close.
I sighed.
Sabi ko na ganito ang mangyayari. Nagtatampo na naman sa'kin 'yung dalawang 'yon. Well, it usually happens because you know, girls are sometimes emotional and dramatic. Pero nasanay na lang din ako kila Zain. Ang gara dahil mga babae pa ang naging mga matalik kong kaibigan. Ang daming naghihinala na baka 'bakla' daw ako. But the truth is I'M NOT. With this charming face of mine, oh God, I'm straight. I just really found genuine friendship in those two girls that's why we stayed friends until now.
Instead of going back to my room because Clardia didn't accepted me inside hers, I decided to move myself to a place where I can breath fresh air. Kaya naman talaga ako napunta sa planetang ito ay dahil gusto kong huminga. Hindi literal na huminga lang kundi 'yung makatakas ako sa mga bagay na nakakasakal sa'kin. Like my career, my responsibilities, my toxic environment, I want to experience living my life again the way I'm enjoying it. Hindi 'yung nakakapagod. At sa pananatili ko naman dito, yeah, it's kinda boring sometimes but, I found someone who makes my everyday interesting.
The first time I saw her, I know she hit me different. She is beautiful, yes, super. But there is still something in her that made me fall hard other than that. And I don't know yet what it is.
I inhaled the cold yet refreshing wind coming from the west. It's like a music that is making the trees and plants dance in a rhythm. The night is so serene and I felt like I don't wanna go back inside the palace anytime soon as I fixated my eyes at the dark astounding sky.
She is one of the million stars but, how come she is the only one who caught my attention?
And yet, I can't even have her because the moon already does.
She is always beside the moon that's why I can't reach her.
Can the sky grant me a wish and make her a falling star?
Because that way, maybe I'll have the chance to hold her in my arms.
"Why did you paid me a visit, Lorius?"
Nagulat ako nang biglang may marinig na nag-uusap, 'di kalayuan sa aking kinatatayuan. I purposely hid myself and peeped at those who are talking. It is Xanthal and her husband.
"You're my wife so, why can't I?"
"Bullshit,"
So I am right all along. Hindi nga maganda ang relasyon nilang dalawa. Alam kong hindi ako dapat maging masaya but, I can't help myself to feel a bit of happiness knowing that they aren't good and I might stand a chance.
"Are you cursing me, Xanthal?"
"Yes. I am. So what?"
"How dare you, you, lowly bitch?!"
In a blink of an eye, I witness how his husband slammed the back of his palm at her cheeks. Sa sobrang lakas niyon ay nabaling ang mukha niya sa isang banda at halos matumba din siya sa kan'yang pagkakatayo.
"Fuck you, Lorius."
"Curse me again and you know what will happen next. I know you are fortunate enough the last time because someone saved you, but this time, I'll make sure you'll die, Hon."
The moon wishes to kill my star.
ฅ'ω'ฅ